Three political heavyweights lost their seats as the Liberal Democrat's grip on Lewes District Council loosened.

Senior Lib Dem members Marina Pepper, David Neighbour and Liz Lee were ousted from the East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffes ward.

Mr Neighbour, who was lead member for planning, opposed Albion's plans for a new stadium at Falmer - one of the big issues in a hard-fought election.

The Lib Dems maintained control of the council but their majority over the Tories was slashed from 16 to six. The Lib Dems have 23 seats, while the Tories have 17 and the Independents one.

The Seagulls Party, backing Albion's plans for the stadium, fielded four candidates who polled more 1,600 votes between them to send shockwaves through the council.

Ms Pepper, a former Playboy model who was council chairwoman, was booed off stage last week at the 76th reunion of the Royal Sussex Regimental Association when she made anti-war comments.

Mr Neighbour was an outspoken opponent of the Falmer stadium plans, while Ms Lee was lead member for community services.

The trio were ousted by Conservative councillors Phillip Howson, James Page and Ron Maskell. The Tories also made vital gains on the coast, claiming seats in Seaford and Peacehaven.

Conservative election agent Charlotte Beaupere said: "We are delighted to have gained so many seats, it has been an excellent day for us. We were hoping for more gains in Seaford, but the Lib Dems hold on the council is certainly loosening."

Lib Dem council leader Ann De Vecchi retained her Lewes Priory seat with 1,264 votes, some 800 less than Independent candidate Ruth O'Keeffe, who was also elected to council.

Lib Dem spokesman James MacCleary said: "We have suffered some losses and it is always a shame to lose experienced councillors like Marina Pepper, David Neighbour and Liz Lee.

"However our objective at the start of this campaign was to retain control of the council and we have achieved that, despite a lot of mud-slinging from the opposition."

The counts were held today at the leisure centres at Lewes and Seaford.

Ed Bassford, of the Seagulls Party, said: "We are very heartened by the results and I think proves that the Seagulls Party is a serious political party. It also shows the stadium issue is taken very seriously by the electorate, and that is reflected in the Lib Dem losses.

"We got the stadium issue onto the agenda, and I have no doubt that contributed to the demise of the likes of Marina Pepper and David Neighbour."